Werewolves

A man steps off the porch of his house. He feels a tingling sensation all over his body. It's a cold night, but he suddenly starts to feel hotter and hotter. His nails start to grow rapidly into sharp, morbid talons. The vest coat that he wore to protect himself from the frosty weather expands and begin to rip. The man looks up into the sky and sees the cosmic creation that started his transformation. His eyes shine a sickly yellow colour while reflecting the pure silver of the moonlight. Numerous wolves in the distance could be heard howling as if mourning of of their own. 

Werewolves.

Now, what do werewolves, a mythical creature from horror fiction have to do with the deadliest virus known to man? I'm reading Rabid: A Cultural History Of The World’s Most Diabolical Virus, a book about Rabies and the impact it has on history and culture.

"Rabies is a scourge as old as human civilization, and the terror of its manifestation is a fundamental human fear, because it challenges the boundary of humanity itself"

A quote by the authors Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy.

Seeing the effects of rabies does prove this statement; "...it challenges the boundary of humanity itself." What does rabies do to you? It paralyzes you. It makes you afraid of water. You develop aggressive behaviours. It kills you. Werewolves: Rabid? Check. Aggressive? Check. Afraid of water? I don't think so. It's an interesting connection to make. Is it possible werewolves were influenced by old century rabies victims? 

An article from Mental Floss that talks about the resemblance:
Scientific Reasons to Believe in Vampires, Werewolves & Zombies

Blog 9: EQ

I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

1. Provide a framework for studies (It calls for breadth and depth of research, Is not a yes/no question)
2. Takes a stance (Allows you to argue some point, Cannot be a recitation of facts or a list)
3.  Format (It is specific, The wording makes sense)

Review the following EQs and

• Tell us if it meets the rule of 3 criteria
• Tell why it does or why it doesn't

1. What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?
• It does not meet the rule of 3
• It is a little vague. Focussing it on a gender would really help the student on their research. Weight loss for women and men are different. Focussing on an age would be even better, but potentially difficult to find research on.
2. What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?
• It does not meet the rule of 3
• It is far too vague. If I could change this EQ, I would make the "conviction" a more specific crime such as murder or theft.
3. What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?
• It meets the rule of 3
• While it is questionably open [a customer] I believe it is appropriate due to the topic [hair stylist] because there are many different types of people that prefer many different types of hairstyles. Aside from finding research for it separate from mentorship, I believe it is an OK EQ.
4. How can an Anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?
• It does not meet the rule of 3
• It is very vague. I would prefer it to go more in depth on the type of chronic pain the patient is having. Chronic pain is a pain that lasts for a long time; I would rather see "...treat chronic pain caused by X disease/condition/illness"

I noticed there were EQ's from last year, so ruling them not meeting the rule of 3 makes me question myself.

Based on your review of the rule of 3 and your experience with assessing four EQs, please write another draft EQ for your senior project.

As an internist, what is the most effective way to treat unvaccinated patients with rabies?

If I do that, my current answers that i have would become useless, but it would literally force me to know every single particle that makes up the rabies virus.

Rabies, One of the Deadliest Viruses

If not THE most dangerous. Until 2004, rabies had a 100% mortality rate. 2004! That was nine years ago. Hundreds of thousands of people have died over the centuries. 
Although, this doesn't mean it's cured. Since 2004, only 12 people ( have survived rabies under a set of procedures called the Milwaukee Protocol

In August, RadioLab did a podcast about rabies and the Milwaukee Protocol. Go ahead an listen to it. Rabies is an incredible cruel disease. Not only does it attack your nervous system, but it causes those whom are struck under it's horrible spell to be virtually unable to drink water because any contact with it will cause you severe pain. Because of this, it's also known as Hydrophobia.

There are lots of videos online showing of the effects of the disease. It's a horrible sight. 

Blog 8: Research and Working EQ

What is your working EQ?

What is the most effective way to treat a patient with rabies as an internist?


What is a possible answer to your working EQ? 

What is the most effective way to treat a patient with rabies as an internist?

• Understanding the chief complaint to be able to start diagnosing the patient. You need knowledge of the disease before you can start treating the patient.
• Knowing the patient's medical/[social] history. Knowing the medical and social history of the patient is important because in order to effectively treat a patient, you must know everything about them concerning their health.
• Do a physical exam. [Any exam/test, really] These tests can help you diagnose the patient as well as lead you to a treatment.

What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ?

My summer mentorship at the UCI Medical Centre helped me come up with answers to my EQ. There, I learned the procedures doctors must take to effectively and efficiently treat a patient. 


Who is your mentor, or where are you volunteering, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

Dr. Francisco B. Fuscaldo is my mentor. I'd usually go to his office in LA for mentorship, but sometimes he visits my mum's office since he's my mum's client.

He is an internist and I'm interested on how he could help me answer my EQ. While I won't be able to fully interact with the patients, I'm able to observe.

Independent Component 1 Approval

Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours

I'm going to do mentorship with my mentor. I'll go to their clinic and talk to them. Maybe make a few more connections with other doctors.


Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence

I'll post pictures and probably updates on my research. The medical field is constantly growing and new advancements are being found every day. Once I get a handle on my EQ, I'll ask my mentors more focussed questions and do blog posts about my research and what they say.


Explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth

I plan to do more mentorship for the Independent component. Honestly, I'm not particularly certain about what i want my Essential Question to be. I do know that it will be "What is the most effective way to treat a patient with X as an internist."
The problem is what X is. Rabies? (meh) Diabetes? (My mentor knows some stuff about it) Another illness? Finalising my EQ is top priority.

Blog 6: Second Interview Questions

Who is your mentor and where do they work?

Dr. Francisco B. Fuscaldo, MD

North Broadway Medical Clinic
2926 N Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90031

or

Dr. Amable R. Aguiluz JR., MD

Amable R. Aguiluz MD 
21500 Pioneer Blvd Suite 209, Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716


Dr. Fuscaldo is my mentor and the one that I plan to interview for Interview 2 as he is an internist.
On the other hand, Dr. Aguiluz is another doctor (Family Doctor w/ experience in Emergency Medicine) that I have as a back up. Dr. Fuscaldo is on vacation right now, so in the case I cannot do an interview with him, I'll do it with Dr. Aguiluz (I may try to visit the clinic if I have the time). Even though Dr. Aguiluz is not an internist, I believe it is important to have experience in a non-internal medicine clinic to note the differences in work ethics and procedures.

Although, Dr. Fuscaldo should be back in time before October.


What five questions will ask them about their background?

1. What country are you from and why did you come to the United States?
2. What school of medicine did you attend? Why?
3. What was your major in college?
4. Are you board certified? If so, can you explain the process of getting certification?
5. Why did you decide to open a clinic instead of staying with a hospital?
6. How long have you been practising medicine?
7. Can you explain your experience with residency?
8. Why do you think that being a doctor is a worthwhile career?

At the clinic

So it was time to do some mentorship and I decided to do it at Dr. Fuscaldo's clinic in LA. He greeted and talked to me with an enthusiastic aura. He was working with patients; I honestly felt as if I was in the way, but to my surprise, he let me talk to the patients and observe what he and his assistants do. His assistants showed me some machines, procedures, and teven the paperwork they had to fill out. He did a Pap Smear, but he didn't let me go in. (Thank god, right?)

Centrifuge used to separate the blood cells from the water in the vacutainers

Never in my life have I ever thought to take a picture of urine. That changed today.

Imagine this exactly used like pH
indicator paper we use to determine acids
vs bases. Except instead of acids and bases,
the type of problems within urine.

Hypodermic needles and vacutainers.
These particular vacutainers are called
"Tiger Top Vacutainers" as they contain
a coagulant which separates the blood
cells from the water when used in a centrifuge.

Dr. Fuscaldo and me